Eat this, not that!
The most common health problems in the 60s, doctors say
Congratulations! You made it past 40 and 50 and are now entering the golden years. Children are out of the house and many of you will retire, or have already retired – which means your stress level may be lower than ever! However, this “old age” of life can harbor a variety of other health problems. Here are the most common health problems in your 60s, according to experts. Keep reading and, to ensure your health and that of others, do not miss these Certain Signs that you have had Coronavirus. 1 Oral Health As the teeth do not regenerate, as we age, our oral health tends to be compromised. “Many people may not realize that proper oral hygiene is the gateway to good general health, and poor oral hygiene can lead to serious health problems, including heart problems, respiratory infections, dementia, cancer and more,” points out Keith Krell, DDS, President of the American Association of Endodontists. The Rx: No matter your age, keep up with your oral health and get regular check-ups and cleanings. 2 tiles Did you get chicken pox when you were a child? Herpes is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus in adulthood, explains Matthew Mintz, MD. Most of us who grew up before the chicken pox vaccine had chicken pox and it resolved itself. However, the body never gets rid of the virus, but the virus hides in the nerve roots, and our immune system keeps the virus there. “As we age, especially in the 1960s and beyond, our immune system weakens and the virus can travel through nerve roots to the skin, causing an extremely painful skin rash,” says Dr. Mintz. In addition, in some cases, the pain persists even when the rash subsides with treatment. The Rx: Because of this, the new shingles vaccine called Shingrix is recommended for adults over 50. “The vaccine stimulates the immune system and is effective in preventing this disease”, says Dr. Mintz. 3 Pelvic floor problems You made it through menopause … yay! However, hormonal changes, as well as simply the gradual wear and tear of muscles and connective tissue, can cause more “laxity” in pelvic floor tissue, points out fitness and wellness expert Kelly Bryant. “The biggest ones I see are urinary incontinence (specifically leaking when running / jumping / sneezing / laughing) and prolapse of pelvic organs,” she reveals. The Rx: Dealing with these problems early in life is the easiest way to avoid them as we age, Bryant points out. However, if the vessel has already departed, there are many non-surgical ways to increase the strength of the pelvic floor and reduce or eliminate these symptoms completely. “They range from practicing a more effective kegel (slow, controlled involvement of the entire pelvic floor – not just the urethral sphincter – and slow, controlled release), better awareness of pelvic floor control during exercise and simply breathing in deep diaphragmatic breaths and complete. ”4 Shortness of breath As many people in their 60s suffer from high cholesterol or high blood pressure, shortness of breath is a common condition that leads them to the doctor’s office, reveals Joyce Oen-Hsiao, MD, director of clinical cardiology at Yale Medicine. “Years of slightly elevated blood pressure (even at the 155/85 level) and lack of exercise (because they’re working hard) make the arteries and heart less complacent, which means they’re not able to relax as much. as soon as possible, ”she explains. As they are also unable to relax, the pressure inside the arteries and, finally, the heart increases. The Rx: The best way to avoid this is to keep your blood pressure under control as soon as you know it is starting to rise. In addition, Dr. Oen-Hsiao suggests trying to do cardiovascular exercises (walking, cycling, running, etc.) regularly, noting that the American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate cardiovascular exercise a week. “When you do these two things, the arteries and the heart will not stiffen so quickly,” she says. 5 Swelling in the legs For the same reasons, many people in their 60s suffer from swelling in their ankles and lower legs. “This is a common problem and is due to the stiffening of the arteries of the heart and also of the heart”, emphasizes Dr. Oen-Hsiao. The Rx: In addition to doing the same things recommended for shortness of breath, Dr. Oen-Hsiao suggests avoiding salty foods, “as this can make your blood pressure rise and cause your legs to swell.” If you already have symptoms, your doctor may prescribe a diuretic (a water pill) to help eliminate the accumulating fluid. “Make sure you take that water pill (along with your blood pressure pills) as prescribed,” she adds. And remember: the best prevention is to take care of your health as early as possible. “Remember to take care of yourself and your body so that you can enjoy your retirement with as few pills as possible!” 6 Sleep Problems Falling asleep and staying asleep can become more difficult as we age, partly because our bodies produce less growth hormone and melatonin, but it is just as important as always getting our Zs. Charles Odonkor, MD, a Yale Medicine physiatrist, points out that people in their 60s often do not sleep, receiving less than the recommended 7 to 9 hours a night. While part of this may be due to existing medical conditions or stress, external factors also play a role. “Watching TV, using smartphones, computers, ipads and smart devices in bed at night increases our exposure to artificial lighting at night and doing so chronically disrupts our body’s natural clock – the circadian rhythm,” he points out. “Exposure to artificial light makes our bodies secrete less melatonin, which slows the onset of sleep and leads to poor sleep quality. Doing this every night can result in chronic sleep deprivation, which decreases the anabolic homes needed to build muscle strength. Increases catabolic hormones like cortisol associated with stress, weight gain, chronic fatigue and impaired cognition. ”The Rx: Dr. Odonkor suggests improving your sleep habits by simply turning off your electronic devices before bed. 7 Chronic pain, pain and body stiffness Dr. Siri Smith, from Tru Whole Care, points out that aging can lead to degeneration of the spine and joints, which is why so many elderly adults need joint replacement surgery. The Rx: Dr. Smith suggests taking care of your body – whether it’s chiropractic work, physical therapy or exercise, “all with the aim of relieving pain, restoring function and stopping the degenerative process!” 8 Balance problems As we age, we may lose muscle strength and joint flexibility, which also affects our reaction time. “We are also more likely to have increased vestibular problems, which means that our impaired vision and hearing can impair our balance,” says Dr. Smith. That’s why the older we get, the more we seem to fall. The Rx: Strengthen your body! “There are many exercises that can specifically help with balance,” says Dr. Smith. “Tai chi is very useful or just stand on one leg at a time for 30 seconds with your eyes open. If that becomes easy, do it with your eyes closed. Make sure you are close to a wall to grab, if necessary! ”9 Leg cramps If you are experiencing leg pain, it may be due to some medical conditions or medications or it may be as simple as dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, says Dr. Smith. Unfortunately, they can also be very painful and wake us up at night. Rx: Staying hydrated and taking a magnesium supplement can be helpful in preventing leg cramps, says Dr. Smith. She also suggests talking to your doctor to find out if any of your medications are causing the pain. 10 Decreasing your height and making your posture worse No, it’s not just your imagination: you’re shrinking. Science has established that everyone loses height as they get older. However, some people shrink more than others due to osteoporosis and degeneration of the spine, which is the loss of height of the spinal disc and cushioning of the joints. “Poor posture can cause back and neck pain due to the anterior position of our heavy heads on top of our smaller necks,” explains Dr. Smith. In turn, it can affect our breathing as it decreases the space for our heart and lungs. “It makes us look older than we are and poor posture leads to more spine degeneration, as it adds additional load to our bones and muscles, something that was not designed to handle.” The Rx: Take care of your body. Exercise is a great way to maintain bone health. As for you: To overcome this pandemic without catching the coronavirus, don’t miss this essential list: Most patients with COVID did this before they got sick.